Pain in the abdomen after eating

Pain in the abdomen after eating is an abnormal phenomenon, it can be the result of a very large list of possible diseases. To better understand your pain and make the correct diagnosis, you should consult a gastroenterologist. He will ask you a series of specific questions aimed at determining the nature of pain. Some common causes of abdominal pain after eating include peptic ulcer, gallstones and mesenteric ischemia.

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The main causes of abdominal pain after eating

Peptic Ulcer

The peptic ulcer develops and sharpens when the protective coating of your stomach can not protect it from the acid that the stomach uses to digest food. Ulcer can usually be recognized by pain in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen or its upper central part. This pain begins about two hours after ingestion. It is described as an acute or traumatic pain, sometimes giving in the back. Pain with an ulcer can be very painful, especially if it deepens enough to perforate through the gastric mucosa.

Stones in the gallbladder

Stones in the gallbladder can be recognized by spastic pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, usually within a few hours after eating. Fatty food sharpens the pain in the stomach after eating. It is worth knowing that obese people and fat women often have stones in the gallbladder. Gallstone pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and can give to the site around the right side of the body and in the back. It is important to note that some types of abdominal pain may become weaker after a change in the posture and physical activity, but gallstone pain is still bothering the person no matter what your physical load is.

Mesenteric (intestinal) ischemia

Intestinal ischemia develops when cholesterol plaques build up in the arteries, disturbing the intestinal blood flow. A stronger inflow of blood to the intestines is needed after a meal. If your arteries are clogged, eating can accelerate and increase pain, especially if the blood supply to the intestines is not enough. Pain with mesenteric ischemia, usually diffuse, it is usually accompanied by fear of eating. Patients are afraid to eat and lose weight.

Other causes of abdominal pain after eating

There are many causes of severe pain in the stomach after eating. Some of them include celiac disease, which can be recognized by bloating and discomfort after taking gluten-containing meals. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Pain in the stomach after eating is also affected by lactose intolerance. It can be recognized by discomfort and diarrhea after eating with lactose, and bacterial food poisoning. They are characterized by spastic pain in the abdomen a few hours after eating, especially if it contains mayonnaise.

Quadrant method for diagnosing abdominal pain after eating

To more accurately identify the disease that causes abdominal pain after eating, it is very useful to use the horizontal and vertical lines to divide the abdomen into four parts: the right upper quadrant, the upper left quadrant, the right lower quadrant and the lower left quadrant. You can, according to the table, identify the symptoms and diseases for each quadrant.

Upper right quadrant of abdomen

Symptoms	Pain is felt mainly in the upper right side of the abdomen. It can also spread to other places: you may experience pain in the right shoulder, right upper back or chest, you may have nausea, vomiting, or gas.
Causes	Gallbladder
Recommendation	Consult a doctor if this is not the first time a pain occurs. Immediately call a doctor for emergency help if any of these symptoms occur the first time. Do not eat anything that the pain does not intensify, if it is caused by stones in the gallbladder.

Symptoms	You may have chronic abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant. You can feel extremely tired and suffer from fever and sore throat.
Causes	Viral infection, most likely, mononucleosis.
Recommendation	Call your doctor right away, as soon as you feel pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. In addition to medicines, you need to rest more.

Pain in the upper abdomen

Symptoms	Acute pain begins gradually or suddenly in the upper abdomen, sometimes gives to the side or lower back. The pain can be moderate or worsen, there is pain in the stomach after eating, especially after a plentiful reception of dishes or a few hours after drinking. The pain can be severe and acute and can become permanent, last for several days. You can also experience nausea, vomiting, swelling of the abdomen, fever and rapid heart rate.
Causes	Pancreatitis
Recommendation	You need immediate help from a doctor. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Any form of pain is very serious and can lead to complications. In severe cases, bleeding may develop, infection.

Symptoms	You can feel pressure in the upper abdomen, especially when the upper quadrant of the abdomen hurts, pain is most often associated with heartburn, eructation, chest pain and nausea.
Causes	Hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm
Recommendation	Be sure to go to the doctor. If you have been diagnosed with a hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm and you experience characteristic symptoms, consult a therapist. He will give you a referral to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in diseases of the digestive system. You can also try to change your diet: eat in small portions. Raise the back of your bed by 15 cm and do not lay down for three hours after eating - the pain in the stomach will subside.

Symptoms	Frequent burning sensation and pain in the upper abdomen or chest pain, sometimes it spreads to the pharynx, appearing along with a sour taste in the mouth. Other symptoms can also be. For example, such as a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing and dry cough.
Causes	Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Recommendation	To prevent the following attacks of pain, you can suck pills with antacids in the composition - you need to do this immediately at the first sign of pain. This can help control heartburn. Consult your doctor if treatment does not help for several days. Call your doctor right away if you have trouble swallowing, especially if solid food sticks in your throat.

Pain in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen

Symptoms	You experience pain in the lower left side of the abdomen, and the pain comes suddenly, abruptly, with a fever. You may also have nausea, vomiting, chills, and extreme skin sensitivity in the abdomen. You can also suffer from diarrhea or constipation.
Causes	Diverticulitis
Recommendation	You immediately need to make an appointment with a doctor. If you have abdominal pain on the left side with fever, chills, swelling, or nausea and vomiting, seek immediate medical attention immediately. You may be at risk of peritonitis due to infection of the abdominal organs.

Pain in the lower abdomen

Symptoms	A pregnant woman has severe pain that suddenly appears in the right lower abdomen or in the lower left side of the abdomen, but there is no vomiting or fever.
Causes	Ectopic pregnancy
Recommendation	It is necessary to immediately call a doctor for surgical treatment. If the abdominal pain is very intense, you need to call an ambulance.

Symptoms	Pain in the lower abdomen. You can also have blood in your stool, fever, unexplained weight loss, skin rash, fatigue, or joint pain.
Causes	Diseases (pains in the right side of the abdomen) or ulcerative colitis of Crohn (with pains in the left side of the abdomen). Dysentery can be an incidental symptom.
Recommendation	Consult a doctor immediately. Do not forget to tell him that you have dysentery or diarrhea with blood. These symptoms are often caused by exposure to water contaminated with bacteria or viruses. If your diagnosis is ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, you should eat nutritious food, rest a lot and reduce stressful situations. Do regular exercises for relaxation and breathing. Do not take alcohol and aspirin.

Lower right quadrant of abdomen

Symptoms	Severe pain in the right lower abdomen. You can first experience pain in the right lower abdomen or near the navel, and after 6-8 hours they become more intense and give back to the lower right side of the abdomen. With active movement, the pain worsens even more. When you press on the right lower abdomen, the pain remains, and you can feel the tension of the muscles. You can also lose your appetite, sometimes there is nausea, vomiting, or subfebrile fever.
Causes	Appendicitis
Recommendation	Call a doctor immediately.

Pain in the abdomen after eating is a symptom that can not be ignored. With our recommendations it will be easier to determine the causes of these pains. 

What if you have stomach pain after eating?

If you are constantly experiencing severe abdominal pain after eating, it is best to discuss these symptoms with your health care provider. The doctor can prescribe the appropriate drugs, do tests or recommend changes in the diet.